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Owners file a complaint after pit bull’s death

Northport police continue internal investigation into shooting

Kylie, left, and Kelly Law sit on their front porch with their dogs, Rue, left, Remo, and Biggie Smalls at their home in Northport June 25. Remo's father, a three-year-old blue pitball, was shot and killed last week by a Northport Police officer in front of their home.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | The Tuscaloosa News

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 11:39 p.m.

NORTHPORT | The owners of a pit bull shot and killed last week by Northport police have filed a complaint with the city and an internal investigation is underway, said Northport Police Chief Kerry Card.

“It may take a while,” Card said. “We are taking statements from supposed witnesses. We haven’t wrapped this up yet.”

On June 24, a Northport animal control officer was called to 69th Avenue in Northport to issue a citation to another resident in the area when he noticed a pit bull walk around a home across the street and lie on his owner’s front porch. Soon after, Northport police were called for backup and the animal control officer attempted to catch the dog with a catch stick.

When the animal control officer came toward the dog, it attempted to go down the stairs of the front porch, according to neighbors, and toward his kennel in the backyard. According to a statement from the Northport police, however, a police officer tried to push the dog away with the baton, but the dog tried to attack the officers, who were standing in the home’s front yard. Neighbors say they pleaded with police not to kill the dog.

The dog was shot three times and died on his owner’s front porch, according to witnesses.

Despite initial reports that police were acting in response to an aggressive dog, neighbors said there was no reason for the pit bull to be shot.

“That dog didn’t bite nobody or growl at nobody. I was standing right there,” said Donald Montgomery, who lives across the street from where the pit bull lived. “They just murdered that man’s dog.”

The dog — a 3-year-old blue pit bull named Cage — was never aggressive to anyone or anything, said his owner, Kelly Law. After his dog died, Law and his wife met with City Administrator Scott Collins and Card, among other city officials.

“We talked a lot, and I kind of felt better and kind of not,” Law said. “They seemed sincere and seemed open-minded, but also took up for the officer and vouched for his character, and said anybody could have done it.”

Law said the response of the community after the news of his dog’s death has been somewhat overwhelming, but that he and his family are appreciative.

“I’ve had a lot of people offer to help, called us, Facebooked me,” Law said. “It’s a good thing that everyone is offering their support, and it’s good to know that people are behind us.”

Some people have offered to vocalize their concerns to city officials on Law’s behalf. Others have offered to give the family a new dog to replace the one they lost.

“We don’t really want (another) one right now,” Law said. “We aren’t in that state of mind.”

Instead, Law said that he plans on going to the next Northport City Council meeting on July 8 to voice his concerns over what happened to his pit bull. He said he has been contacted by several animal rights activists and dog lovers who plan to be there in support.

In the meantime, the investigation will continue. There is no timeline on how long it might take, Card said.

“We are trying to get everything we can to complete the whole picture as to what happened,” Card said. “(The owners) are grieving. It’s very unfortunate, and we are trying to make things as transparent as we can.”

<p>NORTHPORT | The owners of a pit bull shot and killed last week by Northport police have filed a complaint with the city and an internal investigation is underway, said Northport Police Chief Kerry Card. </p><p>“It may take a while,” Card said. “We are taking statements from supposed witnesses. We haven't wrapped this up yet.”</p><p>On June 24, a Northport animal control officer was called to 69th Avenue in Northport to issue a citation to another resident in the area when he noticed a pit bull walk around a home across the street and lie on his owner's front porch. Soon after, Northport police were called for backup and the animal control officer attempted to catch the dog with a catch stick. </p><p>When the animal control officer came toward the dog, it attempted to go down the stairs of the front porch, according to neighbors, and toward his kennel in the backyard. According to a statement from the Northport police, however, a police officer tried to push the dog away with the baton, but the dog tried to attack the officers, who were standing in the home's front yard. Neighbors say they pleaded with police not to kill the dog. </p><p>The dog was shot three times and died on his owner's front porch, according to witnesses. </p><p>Despite initial reports that police were acting in response to an aggressive dog, neighbors said there was no reason for the pit bull to be shot. </p><p>“That dog didn't bite nobody or growl at nobody. I was standing right there,” said Donald Montgomery, who lives across the street from where the pit bull lived. “They just murdered that man's dog.”</p><p>The dog — a 3-year-old blue pit bull named Cage — was never aggressive to anyone or anything, said his owner, Kelly Law. After his dog died, Law and his wife met with City Administrator Scott Collins and Card, among other city officials.</p><p>“We talked a lot, and I kind of felt better and kind of not,” Law said. “They seemed sincere and seemed open-minded, but also took up for the officer and vouched for his character, and said anybody could have done it.”</p><p>Law said the response of the community after the news of his dog's death has been somewhat overwhelming, but that he and his family are appreciative. </p><p>“I've had a lot of people offer to help, called us, Facebooked me,” Law said. “It's a good thing that everyone is offering their support, and it's good to know that people are behind us.”</p><p>Some people have offered to vocalize their concerns to city officials on Law's behalf. Others have offered to give the family a new dog to replace the one they lost. </p><p>“We don't really want (another) one right now,” Law said. “We aren't in that state of mind.”</p><p>Instead, Law said that he plans on going to the next Northport City Council meeting on July 8 to voice his concerns over what happened to his pit bull. He said he has been contacted by several animal rights activists and dog lovers who plan to be there in support. </p><p>In the meantime, the investigation will continue. There is no timeline on how long it might take, Card said. </p><p>“We are trying to get everything we can to complete the whole picture as to what happened,” Card said. “(The owners) are grieving. It's very unfortunate, and we are trying to make things as transparent as we can.” </p><p>Reach Lydia Seabol Avant at 205-722-0222 or lydia.seabol</p><p>avant@tuscaloosanews.com.</p>